Category: Member Minute

The Iowa Insurance Division has been a strong advocate for financial literacy since being a founder of the Iowa JumpStart Coalition in 2000. Representing the Iowa Insurance Division is Craig Goettsch, Education and Budget Director. Craig has served as Iowa JumpStart secretary for more than 10 years, and continues to lead JumpStart’s membership committee.

Craig has been actively involved in nearly every JumpStart initiative, including funding programs, speaking, serving on committees, being an officer, drafting policies and by-laws, and providing counsel. He has been a leader and advocate for all of JumpStart’s annual conferences for teachers and for the annual Money Smart Week Iowa. In addition, Craig is a founder and trustee of the Investor Protection Trust, served as President of the North American Securities Administrators Association, served on numerous NASAA committees and on the Board of Directors. A graduate of the University of Iowa law school, Craig has also served as an adjunct professor and taught securities law at Drake Law School and the University of Iowa Law School. Under Craig’s direction, the Iowa Insurance Division has raised awareness for financial literacy across the state, with major initiatives for numerous programs in schools, educational organizations and nonprofits, and collaborations with other government agencies.

Find more information about the Iowa Insurance Division at: http://www.iid.state.ia.us/

We would like to recognize the Iowa Attorney General’s Office as our current Member Spotlight. The Iowa AG is an advocate and resource for Iowans, providing consumer protection and information. Their website states that “The Consumer Protection Division protects Iowa consumers from fraud, ensures fair competition in the workplace, and informs the public about consumer frauds and how to avoid becoming a consumer fraud victim.” They frequently post information and alerts on their website to help Iowans protect their financial assets by preventing fraud. They also have a partnership with the Iowa Department of Human Services to provide a website called Be There that offers helpful information and links for strengthening families through good parenting. This website includes a money management section as well.

This long time member of the Iowa Jump$tart coalition is represented by Debra Moore. She has been an integral part of the coalition and has participated as president of the coalition and countless volunteer positions in committees such as teacher conference, marketing, and Money Smart Week.

You may find more about this member at: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/

Today we would like to recognize Iowa State University Extension and Outreach who is represented by Mary Beth Kaufman and Margaret Van Ginkel.
ISU Extention and Outreach contains a division of human sciences that offers many resources including those for family finances. They offer classes and information to the public about a wide range of financial issues.

Mary Beth who is Field Educator of Family Finance at the Extension in September received the R.K. Bliss Extension Award which recognizes outstanding achievement of an Iowa State Extension staff member for developing an overall or continuing extension education program. They describe her as being on the cutting edge of emerging issues such as flood recovery, mental health and poverty reduction. As well as JumpStart she is part of the leadership in Money Smart Week in Council Bluffs and Shelby County, and is Iowa’s liaison for the High School Financial Planning Program.

Margaret VanGinkel is also a Field Educator of Family Finance at the Extension and currently serves as Secretary for the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition. She received the R.K. Bliss Extension Award a few years ago. She manages the program in 4 counties which provides basic financial literacy to children and adults. She also helps with the hotline where people can call in to receive help for various financial issues. She is a very important resource as speaker and advisor for MoneySmart week. She also helps provide information to the public about retirement financial literacy.

You may find more about their organization at:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences

Iowa Jump$tart is a coalition of members who seek to improve the personal financial literacy of all Iowans. To help you get to know our board members better, we will periodically spotlight members here.

For this spotlight, we are featuring Mike Johnson. Mike brings a wealth of financial education knowledge to the board – with his experience in helping both students and adults. Mike started teaching economics in high school 14 years ago, and is currently a teacher at SE Polk High School — where he helps teach students about financial literacy. Mike just started working as a financial planner, and in addition to teaching, also is an advisor with AO Wealth Advisory in Urbandale.